Twist latch for compartment door

ABSTRACT

A twist handle latch assembly is provided for use on compartment doors of a utility vehicle. The assembly includes a plastic housing with a steel backer plate to which the latch pawl is mounted. A T-handle is rotatably mounted on the front of a housing with a post extending through the housing and the steel plate for connection to the latch pawl. Rotation of the handle rotates the latch pawl between locked and unlocked positions. A power actuator may be provided to remotely lock and unlock the latch pawl. A key cylinder actuator allows manual locking and unlocking of the latch pawl. A cam connected to the actuator has a window to receive a portion of the pawl in the locked condition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Utility vehicles typically include multiple compartments with doors that provide access to each compartment, and to maintain and secure the contents of the compartments. A latch assembly is provided for each door with a handle to move the latch between latched and unlatched positions when the door is closed. The latch and handle are mounted on a metal housing, which in turn is mounted to the door. These prior art housings have a problem with galvanic corrosion which reduces the life of the handle and of the door. Plastic housings are also known in the prior art for the handle and latch assembly. However, plastic housings generally are weak and subject to breakage by accident or by efforts of thieves. Conventional handles and latch assemblies for compartment doors also lack a power locking mechanism, such that locking and un-locking must be performed manually.

Therefore, a primary objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved handle and latch assembly for compartment doors, such as on utility vehicles.

Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a twist latch assembly for use on a compartment door.

A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a handle and latch assembly having a plastic housing and a steel backer plate for use of a compartment door.

Still another objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved compartment door handle and latch assembly which has increased strength and structural support to resist breakage.

Yet another objective of the present objective is the provision of an improved compartment door handle and latch assembly which is not subject to corrosion.

Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a compartment door handle and latch assembly having limited rotation of the latch pawl.

A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a handle and latch assembly for a compartment door utilizing a twist handle for moving the latch pawl between latched and unlatched positions.

Yet another objective of the present invention is the provision of a latch assembly for a compartment door having a failsafe handle in the locked condition so as to preclude access to the compartment when the latch assembly is locked.

Still another objective of the present invention is the provision of a latch assembly having a power lock mechanism for use on a compartment door.

Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a power lock mechanism on a compartment door latch assembly which provides feedback to indicate whether the door is fully locked.

These and other objectives will become apparent from the following description of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A handle and latch assembly is provided for a utility vehicle compartment door. The assembly includes a plastic housing mountable on an exterior side of the door. A steel backer plate is provided on the back of the housing. A latch pawl is mounted on the backside of the steel plate and is moveable between latched and unlatched positions. A key-shaped twist handle is rotatably mounted on the front side of the housing with a drive post extending through the housing and through the steel plate for connection to the latch pawl, so as to rotate the latch pawl between the latched and unlatched positions when the handle is rotated. A key cylinder is provided in the housing, and connected to a lock cam to lock and unlock the latch. A power locking mechanism may be provided on the back of the steel plate to lock the latch pawl against movement via a remote controller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the handle and latch assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the assembly.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the assembly.

FIG. 4 is a top elevation view of the assembly.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the assembly with the handle pivoted outwardly to a use position.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the handle folded in to a non-use position.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the handle components of the assembly.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the steel plate and latch components of the assembly.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the assembly.

FIG. 10 is another perspective view of the alternative embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a rear elevation view of the alternative embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the alternative embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the optional power locking mechanism of the assembly.

FIG. 14 is another perspective view of the power locking mechanism.

FIG. 15 is a front elevation view of the power locking mechanism.

FIG. 16 is a rear elevation view of the power locking mechanism.

FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of the power locking mechanism.

FIG. 18 is a top elevation view of the power locking mechanism.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken along lines 19-19 of FIG. 16.

FIG. 20 is an exploded view of the power locking mechanism.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the power locking mechanism mounted on the handle and latch assembly.

FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the handle and latch assembly with the power lock mechanism.

FIG. 23 is another exploded perspective view of the assembly and power lock mechanism.

FIG. 24 is an elevation view from the inside of the utility vehicle side pack showing latch assemblies of the present invention mounted on the compartment doors.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the latch assembly on one of the side pack doors.

FIG. 26 is an enlarged perspective view of the latch assembly shown in FIG. 25 in the latched position.

FIG. 27 is a view similar to FIG. 26 with the latch assembly in an unlatched position.

FIG. 28 is a view similar to FIG. 27 with a power lock mechanism provided on the latch assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The handle and latch assembly of the present invention is generally designated in the drawings by the reference numeral 10. The primary components of the assembly 10 are a plastic housing 12, a steel backer plate 14, a handle 16, and a latch pawl 18. The housing 12 is mounted on the front side of a compartment door, such as compartments of a utility vehicle, using mounting brackets (not shown). An example of a mounting bracket is disclosed in Applicant's co-pending patent application entitled, “Vehicle Door Handle and Assembly for Different Thickness Doors” filed on Feb. 2, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference. A gasket 20 is provided between the perimeter edge of the housing 12 and the door surface to provide a water tight seal. Since the housing 12 is made of plastic, there are no corrosion problems as with prior art metal housings.

The steel plate 14 is mounted to the back of the housing 12 using four screws 22 threaded into bosses 24. The handle 16 has a U-shaped yoke which is pivotally connected to a forward end of a drive post 28 with a pin 30. The drive post 28 extends through the housing 12 and through the backer plate 14 and is retained by a screw or bolt 32. The drive post 28 includes a lip or flange 34. A washer 36 and a spring 38 are mounted on the forward end of a post 28, between the lip 34 and the yoke 26. The pin 30 defines a pivot access through the handle 16, which can be rotated or folded between a first non-use position within the well 40 of the housing 12, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and a use position extending outwardly from the housing 12, as shown in FIG. 5. An O-ring 39 is provided on the post 28 to provide a water tight seal between the lip 34 of the post 28 and a shoulder 41 in the well 40 of the housing 12.

The latch pawl 18 has a keyed center hole 42 to receive the inner end of the drive post 28. The bolt 32 extends through the hole 42 with a washer 44 providing on the bolt 32 so as to retain the latch pawl 18 on the backside of the steel plate 14. Thus, the latch pawl 18 rotates with the post 28 as the handle 16 is twisted. The pawl 18 includes a leg 46 which latches and unlatches the assembly 10 relative to the compartment door when the handle 16 is rotated. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the latch pawl 18 and leg 46 can be rotated approximately 90 degrees between the latched position to the unlatched position (FIG. 2).

In an alternative embodiment, the leg 46A is U or V-shaped, with a roller bar 47 secured to the leg 46A by a bolt 49. The bar 47 engages and disengages the door frame when the handle 16 is rotated.

The steel plate 14 includes rearwardly turned flanges 48, 50. The first flange 48 limits rotation of the latch pawl 18 towards the latched position while the second flange 50 limits rotation of the latch pawl 18 towards the unlatched position. Thus, the handle 16 cannot be over-rotated due to the limit stops provided by the flanges 48, 50. The flange 48 also includes a finger 52 which over-laps the leg 46 of the latch pawl 18 when the pawl is in the latched position. The finger 52 prevents the leg 46 from being forced rearwardly by a thief attempting to break into the compartment.

The backer plate 14 also includes a tab 51 which extends forwardly through a slot 53 in the housing 12. The tab 51 has a hole to receive a padlock shackle (not shown), with the handle neck 55 extending through the shackle, so as to provide extra security for the contents of the compartment. A gasket 21 between the plate 14 and the housing 12 inhibits moisture migration through the slot 53. See FIGS. 7 and 8.

A lock assembly is provided for the latch pawl 18. More particularly, the lock assembly includes an actuator 54 which is operatively connected to a key cylinder (not shown) as is known in the art. The inner end of the actuator 54 extends through the housing 12 and through the steel plate 14. An actuator cam 56 is mounted on the inner end of the actuator 54. A lock cam 58 is pivotally connected to the actuator cam 56 by a rivet 60 and to the steel plate 14 by a rivet 61. Thus, a key can be used in the key cylinder to rotate the actuator 54, which in turn moves the actuator cam 56 and the connected lock cam 58 between locked and unlocked positions. The lock cam 58 includes an upturned edge or lip 62 which is received in a notch 64 in the latch pawl 18 when the actuator 54 is turned to the locked position. When the lip 62 engages the notch 64, the latch pawl 18 is prevented from rotating from the latched position to the unlatched position. A spring 68 has one end received in a small hole in the housing 12 in another end extending through a small hole in the actuator cam 56, so as to provide an over-center bias the cam 56 towards both the locked and unlocked positions.

The lip 62 includes a cut out window 63 and the torsion spring acts as an over-center spring which balances the cam in both the locked and unlocked positions so as to keep the cam from sitting between the locked and unlocked positions. When the lock cam 58 is moved to the locked position, the window 63 interfaces with an edge or corner of the notch 64 on the pawl 18, and in conjunction with the finger 52, prevents the pawl being forced rearwardly by potential thief.

The latch pawl 18 also includes a pair of collars 66 which extend rearwardly. These collars can be connected to linkage arms 67 (FIGS. 24-28) if desired, to provide further retention points on opposite edges of the door. The linkage arms extend and retract upon rotation of the handle to engage and disengage the door frame, as is known in the art.

An optional power actuator 70 can be provided for the handle and latch assembly 10. The power actuator 70 includes a housing 72 with an electric motor 71 mounted therein and a wiring harness 76 extending from the motor to the electrical system of the utility vehicle. The motor 74 can be controlled remotely via a key fob or the like, as is known in the industry.

The power actuator 70 includes a carrier plate 78 which supports the motor 74, as well as the drive gears 79, 80, 81 mounted on axle pins 82. A cam 84 is also mounted on the carrier plate 78 with a pin for rotation between locked and unlocked positions. The cam 84 includes a leg 86 extending through a slot 88 in the plate 78. The opposite end of the cam 84 includes a tab 90 extending through a hole 92 in the actuator cam 56, as shown in FIG. 23.

The power actuator 70 may also include a position switch 71 to provide feedback such as a light or audible sound to indicate whether the latch is fully locked.

Mounting screws 94 connect the power actuator 70 to the housing 12. A plastic motor cover 96 screws to the primary housing 72 to create a modular unit. A hook 73 (FIG. 18) is also provided on the motor cover 96. The hook 73 clips under the backer plate 14 and with the screws 95 extending into bosses 97 on the housing 12, retain the power actuator 70 on the housing 12.

The steel backer plate 14 of the assembly 10 provides structural support for the handle 16 and latch pawl 18, and also functions as a theft deterrent by blocking access to the lock and latch mechanisms. The plate 14 also limits the rotation of the latch pawl 18 by the flanges 48, 50. Also, the plate 14 with the mounted components acts as a module. The electronic power actuator 70 also provides a modular interface with the handle and latch assembly 10.

The invention has been shown and described above with the preferred embodiments, and it is understood that many modifications, substitutions, and additions may be made which are within the intended spirit and scope of the invention. From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A handle assembly for a utility vehicle compartment door having exterior and interior sides, comprising; a plastic housing mountable on an exterior side of the door; a steel backer plate fixed to the back of the housing so as to preclude rotation of the backer plate; a latch pawl mounted on a back side of the steel backer plate and being moveable between latched and unlatched positions; a foldable twist handle rotatably mounted on a front side of the housing and having a post extending through the housing and through the steel plate for connection to the latch pawl to rotate the latch pawl between the latched and unlatched positions upon rotation of the handle; and whereby the steel backer plate prevents access to the latch pawl from the exterior side of the door.
 2. The handle assembly of claim 1 further comprising a lock mechanism mounted on the back side of the steel backer plate and being moveable between locked and unlocked positions relative to the latch pawl; and whereby the steel backer plate prevents access to the lock mechanism from the exterior side of the door.
 3. The handle assembly of claim 2 wherein the lock mechanism engages the latch pawl in the locked position to preclude the latch from moving from the latched position to the unlatched position and the lock disengages the latch pawl in the unlocked position to allow the latch pawl to move from the unlatched position to the latched positions.
 4. The handle assembly of claim 2 further comprising a key cylinder actuator mounted in the housing to control the lock mechanism.
 5. The handle assembly of claim 4 further comprising a lock cam assembly mounted on the steel plate and connected to the actuator to lock and unlatch the latch pawl, the lock cam assembly including a first cam connected to the key cylinder, and a second cam connected to the first cam and adapted to engage the latch pawl to prevent unlatching.
 6. The handle and latch assembly of claim 5 wherein the backer plate and the first and second cams are assembled as a module for mounting on the housing.
 7. The handle assembly of claim 5 wherein the steel backer plate, the latch panel, and the lock cam assembly are assembled as a module for mounting to the housing.
 8. The handle assembly of claim 5 within the latch pawl includes a notch for receipt of the second cam when the lock is in the locked position.
 9. The handle assembly of claim 1 further comprising a latch stop tab on the back plate to limit rotational movement of the latch pawl.
 10. The handle assembly of claim 1 further comprising a reversible electric motor powered actuator mounted on the latch pawl for remote control of lock and unlock functions of the latch pawl.
 11. The handle assembly of claim 10 within the power actuator includes a position switch to indicate a locked and unlocked status of the latch pawl.
 12. The handle assembly of claim 1 wherein the backer plate has a finger overlapping the latch pawl in the latched position to prevent forced entry into the compartment.
 13. The handle assembly of claim 1 wherein the backer plate includes a tab extending forwardly through a slot in the housing for receipt of a padlock.
 14. The handle assembly of claim 13 further comprising a gasket surrounding the tab between the housing and the backer plate to inhibit moisture migration through the slot.
 15. A handle assembly for a utility vehicle compartment door comprising; a housing mountable on an exterior side of the door; a latch pawl mounted on a back side of the housing and being moveable between latched and unlatched positions; a stationary steel plate secured to the housing so as to reside between the housing and the latch pawl; a twist handle rotatably mounted on front side of the housing and having a post extending through the housing for connection to the latch pawl to rotate the latch pawl between the latched and unlatched positions upon rotation of the handle and post; a lock actuator in the housing; a cam assembly connected to the actuator to engage and disengage the latch pawl; and the latch pawl including a notch for receipt of the cam assembly when the lock actuator is in a locked position.
 16. The handle assembly of claim 15 wherein the cam assembly includes a first cam connected to the lock actuator, and a second cam connected to the first cam and adapted to engage the latch pawl to prevent unlatching.
 17. The handle assembly of claim 16 wherein the second cam arm has a tab with a window to receive a portion of the latch pawl adjacent to the notch.
 18. The handle assembly of claim 15 further comprising a power actuator mounted on the latch pawl for remote control of lock and unlock function of the latch pawl.
 19. The handle assembly of claim 18 within the power actuator includes a position switch to indicate a locked and unlocked status of the latch pawl.
 20. The handle assembly of claim 15 wherein the steel plate has a finger overlapping the latch pawl in the latched position to prevent forced entry into the compartment.
 21. The handle assembly of claim 15 wherein the steel plate includes a tab extending forwardly through a slot in the housing for receipt of a padlock.
 22. The handle assembly of claim 15 wherein the steel plate and the cam assembly form a module for connection to the housing.
 23. A handle assembly for a utility vehicle compartment door comprising; a housing mountable on an exterior side of the door; a latch pawl mounted on a back side of the housing and being moveable between latched and unlatched positions; a foldable twist handle rotatably mounted on front side of the housing and having a post extending through the housing for connection to the latch to rotate the latch between the latched and unlatched positions upon rotation of the handle and post; a lock actuator in the housing; and a power actuator connected to the latch pawl for remote control of lock and unlock functions of the latch pawl; and a plate mounted to the housing at multiple points to prevent rotation and residing in front of the latch pawl to block access to the latch pawl from the exterior side of the door.
 24. The handle assembly of claim 23 within the power actuator includes a position switch to indicate a locked and unlocked status of the latch pawl.
 25. The handle assembly of claim 23 further comprising a cam assembly connected to the lock actuator to lock and unlock the latch pawl.
 26. The handle assembly of claim 25 wherein the plate and the cam assembly are pre-assembled and then mounted to the housing as a module.
 27. The handle assembly of claim 23 wherein the plate has a finger overlapping the latch pawl in the latched position to prevent forced entry into the compartment.
 28. The handle assembly of claim 23 wherein the plate includes a tab extending forwardly through a slot in the housing for receipt of a padlock. 